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Runciman, James, 1852-1891

"The Chequers Being the Natural History of a Public-House, Set Forth in a Loafer's Diary"

I suppose it is my own,
but have quite forgotten:--
This is the skull of a man,
Soon shall your head be as empty:
Laugh and be glad while you can.
* * * * *
Where, from the silver that rims it,
Glows the red spirit of wine,
Once there was longing and passion,
Finding a woman divine;
Blurred is the finished design,
This was the scope of the plan:
Death, the dry Jester's old bauble--
Drink and be glad while you can.
Sorry and cynical symbol,
Ghastly old caricature,
We, too, must walk in thy footsteps,
We but a little endure.
Bah! since the end is so sure,
Let us out-frolic our span,
Death is a hush and a darkness--
Drink and be glad while you can.


A QUEER CHRISTMAS.

The Loafer seems to have fancied the company of seamen a great deal. At
The Chequers few of the saltwater fellows fore-gathered, but when they
did our Loafer was never long in picking them up.


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